Cookware Lid-Matching System and Method

ABSTRACT

A cookware set has vessels with vessel indicia indicating size characteristics of the top openings of the specific vessels and has lids sized and configured to fit the top openings of the vessels. The lid indicia correspond to the vessel indicia making it easy for a user to match the correct lid size to a vessel selected for use.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This patent is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/291,055 entitled “Cookware Lid-Matching System” and filed on Dec. 30, 2009. The entire contents of this prior filed provisional application are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention is generally directed to cookware, and more particularly to a system and method for matching lids to vessels in the cookware system or set.

2. Description of Related Art

Consumers are known to store cookware vessels, such as pots and pans, and the associated lids in many different manners and locations. Consumers commonly store pots, pans, and lids within kitchen cabinets or pantries in a relative state of disarray. As a result, a consumer can have a hard time finding the right lid to match a selected cookware vessel. This often results in the consumer “test fitting” various lids or covers on a selected pot or pan until a matching lid is found.

Others have attempted to alleviate these types of problems, typically by providing storage and organization solutions. Such solutions have been provided in the form of racks, stack organizers, caddies, and the like. These products are design for storing vessels, lids, or both in an organized fashion. However, are well known to eventually revert back to disorganized storage methods or to utilize these types of products in a manner that does not result in lids and cookware vessels being easily matched.

Many times, the consumers will store only the vessels or only the lids in a particular organizer. Also, some organizers are designed only to store lids or only to store vessels. Such storage methods or solutions don't alleviate the above-noted problems with matching lids to vessels.

SUMMARY

In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, a cookware system has a first vessel with a first bottom, a first side wall, a first top opening of a first size, and first vessel indicia thereon indicative of the first size. The system has a second vessel with a second bottom, a second side wall, a second top opening of a second size, and second vessel indicia thereon indicative of the second size. The system also has a first lid with a first closure panel, a first perimeter structure sized to fit and close the first top opening, and first lid indicia thereon that corresponds with the first vessel indicia. The system also has a second lid with a second closure panel, a second perimeter structure sized to fit and close the second top opening, and second lid indicia thereon that corresponds with the second vessel indicia.

In one example, the second size can be different from the first size and the second lid indicia and second vessel indicia can be different from first lid indicia and the first vessel indicia, respectively.

In one example, the first lid indicia and the first vessel indicia can be the same and the second lid indicia and second vessel indicia can be the same.

In one example, the first lid indicia and the first vessel indicia need not be the same but both can visually correspond to the first size and the second lid indicia and second vessel indicia need not be the same but both visually correspond to the second size.

In one example, the first size and the second size can be the same. The first lid indicia, second lid indicia, first vessel indicia, and second vessel indicia can then correspond to each of the first and second sizes.

In one example, the first lid indicia and second lid indicia can be visible only from an underside of the respective first lid and second lid.

In one example, the first lid indicia and second lid indicia can be visible only from a top side of the respective first lid and second lid.

In one example, the first vessel indicia and second vessel indicia can be visible only from an underside on the bottom of the respective first vessel and second vessel.

In one example, at least the first lid indicia and second lid indicia or the first vessel indicia and second vessel indicia can include two separate and distinct visual indicators that relate to the respective first and second sizes.

In one example, at least the first lid indicia and second lid indicia or the first vessel indicia and second vessel indicia can include two separate and distinct visual indicators. The visual indicators can include alphanumeric symbols overlying geometric shaped backgrounds uniquely indicative of each of the first and second sizes.

In one example, at least the first lid indicia and second lid indicia or the first vessel indicia and second vessel indicia can include two separate and distinct visual indicators. The visual indicators can include alphanumeric symbols and colors uniquely indicative of each of the first and second sizes.

In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, a cookware set has a vessel with a closed bottom, a surrounding side wall, a top opening, and vessel indicia indicating a size characteristic of the top opening. The cookware set also has a lid with a perimeter structure sized and configured to fit and close the top opening and at least one lid indicia that corresponds to the vessel indicia.

In one example, the vessel indicia can be located on an underside of the closed bottom.

In one example, the lid indicia can be located near the perimeter structure.

In one example, the lid indicia can be visible from an underside of the lid.

In one example, a majority of the lid can be clear or transparent and the lid indicia can be on a top side of the lid or the bottom side of the lid and visible from either of both sides.

In one example, a majority of the lid can be clear or transparent and the lid indicia can be on a top side of the lid. The lid indicia can be covered on the top side and visible only from the underside of the lid.

In one example, a majority of the lid can be clear or transparent and the lid indicia can be on a top side of the lid. The lid indicia can be printed in mirror image on the top side of the lid and visible from the underside of the lid.

In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, a method of matching lids to vessels for cookware includes providing a cookware set with a plurality of vessels and lids. The vessels each have a top opening of a different size and a vessel indicia corresponding to a size characteristic of the respective top opening. The lids each are sized and configured to fit the top opening of a respective one of the plurality of vessels and have at least one lid indicia that corresponds to the vessel indicia of the respective vessel. The method includes selecting one of the plurality of vessels for use and then choosing one of the plurality of lids to fit the selected vessel by matching the lid indicia to the vessel indicia.

In one example, the step of choosing can include comparing the vessel indicia on a bottom of the selected vessel to the lid indicia on an underside of the chosen lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of one example of a cookware system or set constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of one example of a cookware system or set constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of one example of a cookware vessel and lid set in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the lid depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the lid depicted in FIG. 3 prior to the lid manufacturing process being completed.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the lid depicted in FIG. 3 after manufacturing is completed.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of one example of a lid constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the lid depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of one example of a plurality of lids constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of one example of a cookware vessel and lid set constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of a portion of a cookware vessel constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is for a cookware system or set that utilizes indicia on both the lids and vessels. The indicia on the vessels correlate to the top opening size of the vessel. The indicia on the lids also correlate to the top opening size of the vessels for which the lids are designed to cover. The indicia on the vessels and lids can take on many forms. However, in any form the indicia is intended to visually identify for a user which lids match or correspond to which vessels. The invention provides a quick and easy solution for consumers to locate the correct cover or lid for a given cookware vessel without having to look through and try out an entire collection of lids to find one suitable for a particular vessel.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one example of a cookware system or set 20 that employs a number of cooking vessels and lids. A typical cookware set or system has a number of pots and pans, some of which utilize the same size lid or lid size and some of which utilize a different size lid. Cookware vessels come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The present invention is not intended to be limited to particular sizes or shapes of cookware vessels and can be employed on square, rectangular, round, or oval vessels. The term vessel is used herein to represent many different types of cookware, bake ware, and the like for food preparation and consumption, including dishes, pots, pans, bowls, and the like. The present invention is described herein with reference to round or circular pots and pans for ease of description. The present invention is also described herein with reference to common vessel sizes such as 8 inch, 10 inch, and 12 inch diameter vessel options. However, the range and size of pots and pans can vary considerably within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the disclosed example, the cookware system 20 has a sauté pan 22, a midsized skillet 24, and a large skillet 26. The sauté pan 22 in this example has a bottom 28, a side wall 30 extending up from the bottom, and a top opening 32 at an upper edge 33 of the side wall. The sauté pan 22 also has a handle 34 extending radially outward from the side wall 30. Each of the other vessels disclosed and described herein has a similar construction and, thus, the bottoms, handles, and side walls are generically referenced using the same reference numbers. The size, configuration, and construction of the handles 34, bottoms 28, and side walls 30 of the various pots and pans, i.e., vessels, can vary considerably within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Only the top openings for many of the vessels herein are specifically and uniquely referenced. In this example, the top opening 32 of the sauté pan 22 has an 8 inch diameter. A top opening 36 of the midsized skillet 24 has a 10 inch diameter and a top opening 38 of the large skillet 26 has a 12 inch diameter. Thus, each of the pans 22, 24, and 26 requires a different lid size.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sauté pan 22, the skillet 24, and the skillet 26 have separate lids 40, 42, and 44, respectively. The lid 40 for the sauté pan 22 has a circular configuration and an 8 inch diameter to match that of the top opening 32. In this example, the lid 40 has a cover panel 46 with a perimeter edge 48. The perimeter edge 48 as a perimeter structure 50 thereat that is configured to seat on or against the top edge 33 of the opening 32 to fit and close off the top opening of the sauté pan 22. The lid 40 also has a handle 52 that is centered on the cover panel 46 and that is used to grasp, hold, and lift the lid. Again, each of the lids disclosed and described herein has a generally similar construction and, thus, the specific cover panels, perimeter edges, and handles are generically referenced using the same reference numbers where applicable. In general, the perimeter structures are referenced herein to identify the shape and contour of the lids where the lids are intended to fit and contact corresponding vessels. The configuration and construction of the perimeter structures can vary considerably within the spirit and scope of the present invention and can include seals, lips, flanges, rims, contoured regions, and the like.

The lid 42 for the midsized skillet 24 has a perimeter structure 54 with a diameter of 10 inches to match the top opening 36. Likewise, the lid 44 for the large skillet 26 has a perimeter structure 56 with a diameter of 12 inches to match the top opening 38.

The cookware system 20 also includes a number of other vessels and lids. In this example, the system has a sauce pan 60 with an 8 inch top opening 62, a sauce pan 64 with a 10 inch top opening 66, and a sauce or browning pan 68 with a 12 inch top opening 70. The system also has appropriate lids 40, 42, and 44 for each of these sauce pans. These lids are identical in construction to the above-described lids 40, 42, and 44 for the sauté pan 22 and skillets 24, 26. In this example, the system 20 further has a pot 72 with an 8 inch top opening 74, a pot 76 with a 10 inch top opening 78, and a pot 80 with a 12 inch top opening 82. Each of these pots 72, 76, and 80 also have separate lids 40, 42, and 44, respectively, which are again identical to the above-described lids for the sauté pan 22 and skillets 24, 26, respectively. The identical lids 40 for the sauté pan 22, sauce pan 60, and pot 72 are interchangeable with one another and are common to the 8 inch top openings 32, 62, and 74, respectively Likewise, the identical lids 42 for the skillet 24, sauce pan 64, and pot 76 are interchangeable with one another and are common to the 10 inch top openings 36, 66, and 78, respectively. Also likewise, the identical lids 44 for the skillet 26, browning pan 68, and pot 80 are interchangeable with one another and are common to the 12 inch top openings 38, 70, and 82, respectively.

With a cookware set 20 of the size disclosed in FIG. 1, some of the lids are suitable to fit more than one of the vessels but many of the lids are not suitable to fit on many other of the vessels. With a cookware set of this size, a consumer typically cannot store all of the lids and vessels in the same location. Thus, it can become difficult for the consumer to organize the large number of vessels and lids. This can result in it being difficult for the consumer to locate a suitable lid for a selected vessel. Even if all of the system lids and vessels are stored together, it can be difficult to easily find a suitable lid for a selected vessel because of the many different options.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, each of the lids 40, 42, and 44 is provided with lid indicia 90, 92, and 94, respectively. Similarly, each of the vessels is provided with vessel indicia. In this example, each of the 8 inch vessels 22, 60, and 72 is provided with vessel indicia 100. Each of the 10 inch vessels 24, 64, and 76 is provided with vessel indicia 102. Each of the 12 inch vessels 26, 68, and 80 is provided with vessel indicia 104. The lid indicia on lids of a particular size are, in a generic sense, configured to correspond to or correlate with the vessel indicia on vessels of a like size. Specifically, the lid indicia 90 are configured to visually correspond to, correlate with, of otherwise be indicative of the vessel indicia 100. Likewise, the lid indicia 92 are configured to visually relate to the vessel indicia 102 and the lid indicia 94 are configured to visually relate to the vessel indicia 104.

In one example, the corresponding indicia between vessels and lids of like size can be identical to one another, thus making it easy for a consumer to match vessels and lids. In another example, the corresponding indicia between vessels and lids need not be identical but instead can reference, relate to, or be otherwise similar in appearance to one another in a way that consumers can readily recognize a vessel and lid match. Examples of both are described herein.

In one example, the lid and vessel indicia can utilize simple alphanumeric symbols such as letters or numbers. The indicia can be fanciful or random and have no specific relation to the size characteristic of the vessel top openings or the lids. Alternatively, the indicia can be specifically relevant to a size characteristic of the vessel top openings or the lids. FIG. 1 shows one example of a random indicia format. In this example, the number “1” is utilized to identify and correlate the lids 40 and vessels 22, 60, 72 having an 8 inch diameter size. Both the lid indicia 90 and the vessel indicia 100 are identical to one another and can easily be matched by the consumer, even though the indicia have no particular relevance to the lid and vessel size. The number “2” is utilized as the indicia 92 and 102 to identify and correlate the lids 42 and vessels 24, 64, 76 having a 10 inch diameter size. The number “3” is likewise utilized as the indicia 94 and 104 to identify and correlate the lids 44 and vessels 26, 68, 76 having a 12 inch diameter size. As will become evident to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, the format of the indicia on both the lids and vessels can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additional examples are disclosed and described below.

The lid indicia 90, 92, and 94 can be provided at virtually any location on the lids 40, 42, and 44. In this example, the indicia 90, 92, and 94 are provided near or closely adjacent the respective perimeter structures 50, 54, and 56 of the lids 40, 42, and 44. However, other locations for the lid indicia can certainly be utilized. The lid indicia 90, 92, and 94 can be provided on a top side of the lids 40, 42, and 44 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the lid indicia can be provided on an underside of the lids or on the handle, if desired. Likewise, the vessel indicia 100, 102, and 104 can be provided at virtually any location on the vessels 22, 24, 26, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, and 80. In this example, the indicia 100, 102, and 104 are provided on an outer surface of the vessel side walls 30 and near the top edges 33. As with the lids, other locations for the vessel indicia can be utilized. The vessel indicia 100, 102, and 104 can be provided on an upward facing or interior surface of the bottom 28 on a given vessel or can be provided on an underside surface of the bottom 28 on a given vessel. The vessel indicia can also be provided on other locations of the side walls 30 on the given vessel.

In the example disclosed in FIG. 1, a user can select any one of the vessels, note the vessel indicia 100, 102, or 104, and then look for a lid having a like or correlated lid indicia 90, 92, or 94. Locating any lid 40, 42, or 44 having the desired indicia will result in the user having located a lid that fits the selected vessel.

FIG. 2 shows another example of a cookware set or system 110 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the system 110 includes multiple vessels 112 a-c, 114 a-c, and 116 a-c of different vessel style and/or size. The vessels 112 a-112 c each have a different pot style but have the same top opening size. The vessels 114 a-114 c also each have a different pot style but the same top opening size. The vessels 116 a-116 c further each have a different pot style but the same top opening size. The vessel groups 112 a-c, 114 a-c, and 116 a-c each have different top opening sizes relative to the other groups similar to the system 10 discussed above.

Likewise, the system 110 includes multiple lids 118 a-c, 120 a-c, and 122 a-c of different size, each being sized to fit a corresponding one of the vessels 112 a-c, 114 a-c, and 116 a-c, respectively. The configuration and construction of the vessels and lids in this example is essentially identical to that of the system 20 discussed above. Thus, the basic features of the vessels and lids in the cookware system 110 are not described in any greater detail herein. However, the lid and vessel indicia employed on the cookware set 110 are different from the prior example.

In this example, vessel indicia are located on an underside of the bottom 28 on each vessel. The vessels 112 a-c in this example have an 8 inch diameter and include vessel indicia 124 as the number “8” over a triangular shaped background. The vessels 114 a-c have a 10 inch diameter and include vessel indicia 126 as the number “10” over a triangular shaped background. The vessels 116 a-c have a 12 inch diameter and include vessel indicia 128 as the number “12” over a triangular shaped background. Thus, in this example, the vessel indicia 124, 126, and 128 bear direct relation to the vessel top opening sizes of 8, 10, and 12 inches, respectively.

The lid indicia are also located on an underside of the cover panels 46 on the lids 118, 120, and 122 with this example. The lids 118 a-c have an 8 inch diameter and include lid indicia 130 as the number “8” over a triangular shaped background. The lids 120 a-c have a 10 inch diameter and have lid indicia 132 as the number “10” over a triangular shaped background the lids 122 a-c have a 12 inch diameter and have lid indicia 134 as the number “12” over a triangular shaped background. As with the prior example, the lid indicia and vessel indicia in this example are identical to one another and thus can be easily matched by a consumer. In the prior example, the indicia included a single alphanumeric symbol “1”, “2”, or “3”. In this example, the indicia include an alphanumeric symbol over a geometric (triangular) shape. The geometric shapes are all identical to one another but the alphanumeric symbols are different on pots and lids of different size. To make it easier for the consumer to recognize and select an appropriate lid for a selected vessel of the system 110, the numeric indicator and/or the geometric background shape of the lid and vessel indicia can optionally be printed or applied having different colors for each size lid and vessel.

The indicia for the vessels and lids disclosed and described herein can include a single form of indicator (as in system 10) or two or more forms of indicator simultaneously (as in system 110) in order to correlate lids to vessels. The indicia can also include text, numerals, graphic elements, colors, symbols, geometric shapes, combinations thereof, and/or other elements as desired.

The lid and the vessel indicia described above for the cookware systems 20 and 110 can also be added or applied to the vessels and lids in any suitable manner. The indicia can be etched, laser etched, engraved, stamped, forged, or otherwise formed directly in the base material of the lids and vessels. Alternatively, the indicia can be painted, baked, embossed, silk screened, pad printed, or otherwise applied to surfaces of the vessels and lids, if desired. The indicia can also be applied to a label, tag, sticker, or the like, which are then applied to the lids and vessels. The invention is not intended to be limited to a particular method of manufacture for the vessels, the lids, and/or the indicia provided thereon. Similarly, the materials used to fabricate the vessels and lids disclosed and described herein can vary considerably within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one example, the vessels and lids are formed of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or combinations thereof. In another example, portions of the lids and/or vessels can be formed from glass or other transparent or clear materials.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate another example of a cookware set 140 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the set is shown to include a vessel 142 similar to those described above and a lid 144 also similar to those described above. However, in this example, the lid 144 is formed having a clear or transparent cover panel 46. The lid 144 has lid indicia 146 visible from an underside 148 of the lid as shown in FIG. 4. In this example, the lid indicia 146 have alphanumeric text and numbers that read “fits all 8” pans” near or adjacent the perimeter structure 150 on one side of the lid. The lid indicia 146 also have alphanumeric text and numbers that read “fits all 20.32 cm pans” near the perimeter structure 150 on the opposite side of the lid. Though not discussed herein, the vessel 142 can include vessel indicia on an underside of the bottom 28 or another location that indicates a specific size of the top opening of the vessel, such as “8 inch”, “20.32 cm”, or the like. Thus, the lid and vessel indicia in this example need not be identical to one another. However, the indicia are representative of and correlate to one another by size designation in a manner that will readily allow a consumer to match lids with corresponding vessels.

In this example, the lid 144 can be manufactured in a unique layered manner, if desired. With reference to FIG. 5, the alphanumeric text and numbers can be printed on the top surface 152 of the cover panel 46 on the lid 144 using a traditional silk-screening, screen printing, or serigraph process. The alphanumeric text and numbers of the lid indicia 146 can be printed on the top surface 152 using a stencil, a screen, ink, and an ink applicator. The text and numbers can be printed in a mirror image or reverse manner as shown in FIG. 5 so that it reads correctly or normally from the underside 148 through the clear or transparent material of the cover panel 46. With reference to FIG. 6, an overlay material 154 can be added around a portion of or the entire cover panel 46 near the perimeter structure 150 to cover the imprinted text of the indicia. This can render the lid indicia 146 visible only from the underside 148 of the lid 144. Only the dark overlay color or material 154 is visible on the top surface 152 on the lid. The lid 144 can be constructed in an alternate manner so that the indicia 146 are visible only from the top side or surface 152 of the lid and not from the underside.

Alternative manufacturing and imprinting means and methods can be utilized as well. For conventional silk-screening process, the screen can be a synthetic or natural fiber such as polyester, nylon, or silk, a metal such as stainless steel, or other materials known in the art. The screen can be mounted on a frame made from metal, wood, or the like. The ink can be plastisol, PVC/phalate free ink, or other suitable ink for such silk-screening processes and for use in high temperature cookware applications. The ink applicator can be a fill bar, flood bar, sponge, squeegee, or other structure known in the art for applying inks to the screen and stencil. The silk-screening method can be carried out using a flatbed, cylinder, or rotary press.

Such silk-screening methods can be carried out using ink permeable screens with ink blocking stencils and with stencils made from plastic, paper, non-permeable substances, or other suitable sheets or layers. The stencils can have blank areas with surrounding non-permeable areas or can have non-permeable areas with surrounding blank areas. When using stencils having blank areas within non-permeable surrounding areas, the ink is transferred through the blank area onto a substrate, thereby printing an image formed by the blank area and blocking ink from being transferred through the non-permeable surrounding area. This type of silk-screening forms a negative of the image to be printed. When using stencils having non-permeable areas within surrounding blank areas, ink is blocked from passing through the non-permeable area and transferred through the surrounding blank area. This prints a positive image defined on the substrate. Either image type can be utilized for the indicia 146 or other indicia disclosed and described herein.

In the example depicted in FIGS. 3-6, the overlay 154 or background and the indicia 146 should be contrasting colors, such as white for the indicia and black for the background overlay 154, in order that a consumer can easily read the indicia. In the disclosed example, the indicia 146 are also printed very near the perimeter structure 150 so that the vast majority of the clear cover panel 46 is left unobstructed. Thus, a consumer can readily see the contents within the vessel through the lid during use.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate yet another example of a lid 160 for a cookware set or system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the lid 160 has a cover panel 46 and a perimeter structure 50 similar to earlier described lids. However, in this example the lid 160 has a center mounted, button-style handle 162. The lid 160 also has lid indicia 164 printed, applied, or otherwise formed directly on a top of the handle 162. The lid indicia 164 can be easily viewed and deciphered by the consumer and will be prominently displayed at the center of the lid.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another example of lids 170, 172, and 174 of different size and for a cookware set or system as described and disclosed. In this example, each lid has a cover panel 46, a perimeter structure 50, and separate lid indicia 176, 178, and 180, respectively. Each of the lid indicia includes multiple forms of indicators. The 8 inch lid 170 utilizes the number “8” over a triangular shaped background as the lid indicia 176. The 10 inch lid 172 utilizes the number “10” in a square shaped background as the lid indicia 178. The 12 inch lid 174 utilizes the number “12” within a circular shaped background as the lid indicia 180. Thus, each lid indicia employs at least two different indicators including a number representative of the lid diameter or top opening size and a random geometric shape as a part of the indicia. Though not shown herein, the corresponding vessels of like size can incorporate identical vessel indicia. The multiple indicators will permit a consumer to match lids to vessels using the numbers, the geometric shapes, or both. In another example, the indicia 176, 178, and 180 can employ a third indicator such as different or unique colors for part or all of each of the lid indicia. Thus, the user could match lids to vessels by the color of the indicia as well.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another example of a cookware set 190 inclusive of three different types of vessels 192 a-c, each having the same size top opening, and corresponding lids 194 of the same size. In this example, the lids have lid indicia 196 stamped into the cover panel 46 near the perimeter structure 50. The vessels have vessel indicia 198 stamped on a lower end of the side wall 30 near the bottom 28. This example is similar to the earlier example shown in FIG. 1, but with different indicia format and an alternate vessel indicia location.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another example of a cookware vessel 200 with a handle 34 extending radially from the side wall 30 of the vessel. In this example, the vessel 200 has vessel indicia 202 provided directly on a top surface 204 of the handle 34. The various indicia examples are shown and described herein to represent the potential variety of different indicia formats and indicator options, which may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In each of the examples disclosed and described herein, the cookware systems or sets allow a user to readily and easily match lids to vessels. Thus, the invention also incorporates a method of matching lids to vessels. A cookware set or system such as the system 20 or 110 can be provided. A user can select any one of the vessels from the set for use in preparing or serving food. Depending on the type of food to be prepared or served, a user may desire or require use of a small pot or pan, a medium-sized pot or pan, or a large pot or pan. The user can select the appropriate vessel and then note the vessel indicia provided thereon. The user can then choose a lid having the same or corresponding lid indicia thereon. This method eliminates the user having to randomly select lids and try them out on the selected vessel.

In other alternative examples, the various lid indicia and vessel indicia can be marked onto adhesive labels, hang tags, or the like, which are in turn placed on the lids and/or vessels. In one embodiment, a hang tag provided on a lid can be removed at the time of use and then replaced before returning the lid to storage.

The disclosed cookware systems, sets, and methods provide a significant improvement over prior art solutions for matching lids to vessels. The solution is built into the lids and vessels and does not rely on a consumer to arrange and maintain their pots and pans in an organizer or storage device.

Although certain cookware lid matching systems and methods have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents. 

1. A cookware system comprising: a first vessel having a first bottom, a first side wall, a first top opening of a first size, and first vessel indicia thereon indicative of the first size; a second vessel having a second bottom, a second side wall, a second top opening of a second size, and second vessel indicia thereon indicative of the second size; a first lid having a first closure panel, a first perimeter structure sized to fit and close the first top opening, and first lid indicia thereon that corresponds with the first vessel indicia; and a second lid having a second closure panel, a second perimeter structure sized to fit and close the second top opening, and second lid indicia thereon that corresponds with the second vessel indicia.
 2. A cookware system according to claim 1, wherein the second size is different from the first size and the second lid indicia and the second vessel indicia are different from first lid indicia and the first vessel indicia, respectively.
 3. A cookware system according to claim 2, wherein the first lid indicia and the first vessel indicia are the same and the second lid indicia and second vessel indicia are the same.
 4. A cookware system according to claim 2, wherein the first lid indicia and the first vessel indicia are not the same but both visually correspond to the first size and the second lid indicia and second vessel indicia are not the same but both visually correspond to the second size.
 5. A cookware system according to claim 1, wherein the first size and the second size are the same and wherein the first lid indicia, second lid indicia, first vessel indicia, and second vessel indicia correspond to the first and second sizes.
 6. A cookware system according to claim 1, wherein the first lid indicia and second lid indicia are visible only from an underside of the respective first lid and second lid.
 7. A cookware system according to claim 1, wherein the first lid indicia and second lid indicia are visible only from a top side of the respective first lid and second lid.
 8. A cookware system according to claim 1, wherein the first vessel indicia and second vessel indicia are visible only from an underside on the bottom of the respective first vessel and second vessel.
 9. A cookware system according to claim 1, wherein at least the first lid indicia and second lid indicia or the first vessel indicia and second vessel indicia include two separate and distinct visual indicators that relate to the respective first and second sizes.
 10. A cookware system according to claim 9, wherein the visual indicators include alphanumeric symbols overlying geometric shaped backgrounds uniquely indicative of each of the first and second sizes.
 11. A cookware system according to claim 9, wherein the visual indicators include alphanumeric symbols and colors uniquely indicative of each of the first and second sizes.
 12. A cookware set comprising: a vessel having a closed bottom, a surrounding side wall, a top opening, and a vessel indicia indicating a size characteristic of the top opening; and a lid having a perimeter structure sized and configured to fit and close the top opening and at least one lid indicia that corresponds to the vessel indicia.
 13. A cookware set according to claim 12, wherein the vessel indicia is located on an underside of the closed bottom.
 14. A cookware set according to claim 12, wherein the lid indicia is located near the perimeter structure.
 15. A cookware set according to claim 12, wherein the lid indicia is visible from an underside of the lid.
 16. A cookware set according to claim 15, wherein a majority of the lid is clear or transparent and the lid indicia is on a top side of the lid.
 17. A cookware set according to claim 16, wherein the lid indicia is covered on the top side and visible only from the underside of the lid.
 18. A cookware set according to claim 17, wherein the lid indicia is printed in minor image on the top side of the lid.
 19. A method of matching lids to vessels for cookware, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cookware set with a plurality of vessels each having a top opening of a different size and a vessel indicia corresponding to a size characteristic of the respective top opening and with a plurality of lids each sized and configured to fit the top opening of a respective one of the plurality of vessels and having at least one lid indicia that corresponds to the vessel indicia of the respective vessel; selecting one of the plurality of vessels for use; and choosing one of the plurality of lids to fit the selected vessel by matching the lid indicia to the vessel indicia.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the step of choosing further comprises comparing the vessel indicia on a bottom of the selected vessel to the lid indicia on an underside of the chosen lid. 